The sport of polo has its own language. Here are some of the key words and little known facts for anyone hoping to play.

• A regulation polo field is 300 yards (274 metres) long by 160 yards (146 metres) wide. It’s almost as big as 10 football fields and is the largest field in organized sport. Goalposts are eight yards apart.

• Polo ponies, often from Argentine or North American thoroughbred lines, are around 15 hands (four inches or 10 centimetres to a hand) to 15.3 hands high. They must be fast, nimble and have great endurance.

• For the uninitiated, the game of polo comes with its own language and distinct set of regulations. The word “chukker” is just another word for period. There are four or six chukkers in a polo game, each lasting seven minutes. A “bump,” as it implies, involves a rider that pushes another rider off the line of the ball — interfering with their shot.

• In a polo game there are four players on each team. While they all have the same skills some will play more offence roles, some may play both offence and defence and one player is charged with keeping an eye on the goal.

Polo Management Services specializes in introducing individuals and groups to the game even if you’ve never been on a horse — ever.

Coaches are all adult U.S. Polo Association or Polo Canada members. They provide students with well schooled and suitable polo ponies, necessary tack and professional facilities. Contact www.polomanagement.com for information on their one-day introduction to polo clinic. Polo clinics cost $250 plus HST. An eight-week polo school course designed by the Toronto Polo Club costs $2,200 plus HST. Participation in the course qualifies players to apply for membership in the Toronto Polo Club.

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